Window-cleaning device



Nov. 17, 1925- 1,561,801

. E. E. SHIPLEY WINDOWICLEANING DEVICE Filed Sept. 29, 1924 Jhventor Elmer' E. S'hzply ./Ittarney Il l) Patented Nov. 17, 1925.

UNiTED STATES Vl 1,561,801 PArENroFFIcE.

ELMER E. SHIPLEY, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRIOT OF COLUMBIA.'

WINDOW-CLEANING DEVICE.

Application filed September 29, 1924. Serial No. 740,556.

' device adapted to obviate the necessity of individuals sitting or leaning out of windows while Washing the same.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of a window cleaning device adapted to be disposed in substantially rigid relation to a window-frame and in contact with the glass 'panel or panels of the sashes thereof so movement of the sash adjacent thereto will cause the cleaning action of the device.

A further object of this invention resides in the provision ofa window cleaning device which can be readily disposed in operative position against the glass panels including the sashes, of any design of window without removing'outside screens or grate bars. l i

A still furtherobjectfof this invention resides in the provision of a window cleaning device of' such construction that vthe glass panel engaging elements thereof. will compensate for any irregularities in the surfaces of the glass while passing over the same and ride in contact 'over vboth horizontal and vertical yribs of the sash with the minimum resistance to the movement of the sash.

In addition to the foregoing objects, this invention resides in the i provision of j a window cleaning device consisting of means adapted to support a wiper against the glass panels of a window sash so that movement of the sash will cause thewiperto change its area of contact with the glass panels.

Aside from the aforesaid objects, this invention resides in the provision of a window cleaning device adapted to produce a ,thrusting action toward the window sash containing the glass panels to be operated upon. e f

' In addition to the objects heretofore set forth, thisinvention resides in the provision f of a window cleaning device adapted to be Iadjusted to fit windowsof' different Widths..

Among the several objects heretofore set forth, this invention resides in the provision of a window cleaning device adapted to be reversed for engagement with window screens, whereby the same will be brushed upon movement thereof.

One of the most important objects of this invention resides in thel provision of a window cleaning device consisting of a window panel engaging element adapted to yield at any point throughout its working area without affecting other portions of the working area thereof.

lVith these and other objects in view, this' invention resides in certain novel features of construction, arrangement and combination of elements to be hereinafter set forth in the specification, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and pointed out in the appended claims and, while the disclosure fully depicts my present conception of the invention, the right is reserved to make such changes in construction as come within the scope of the claims.l

In the accompanying drawing, vforming a part of this application: l

Fig. l is an outside view of a window frame showing the elements of this inventiontdisposed in o erative position against the glass panels of) the upper sash thereof, the `same being shown as of the colonial design. I 'i Fig. 2 is a horizontal view on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the elements of my invention in juxtaposition.

j Fig. 4 is a longitudinal, sectional 'view on a horizontal line of the telescopic bracket.

f Fig. 5 is a detail vertical sectional view through a portion of a colonial sash, showing the elements of this invention in operative position againstthe glass panels and ribs thereof. f

Fig. y6 is a similarl view taken on a horizontal plane, with parts of the device broken away- Fig. 7 isv a detailv end view of the male element of the telescopic bracket-'showing the manner of securing the spring thereto.

Fig.l 8 is a detail perspective view of a` modified form of foot for the telescopic bracket. f

InV the present illustration of this invention the letter A designates a window frame of the usual construction, havin sashes B disposed therein and, while this illustration discloses the upper sash as being of the colonial design and thel loWersashY las* of the vertically divided design, the structure of the sashes affords no disadvantages to the success-fulloperation of my device in GID cleaning the glass panels C thereof.

My invention comprises a bracket designated, in general, by the numeral 5 and consists of a male member' and female member 6', the former-of which having an eX- pa-nsible coil spring 7 secured to its inner end and projecting' therefrom, while the latter has a series of aligned apertures 8 disposed i-n opposite sides thereof and carrying clips 9 preferably on its upper side l0.

Formed on the outer ends 1l ofthe male and female members of thetelescopic bracketarefeet l2 carrying shoes 13, preferably of rubber having sufficient thickness and elasticity to establish an `inward thrusting action of the bracket between the bearing surfaces of the shoes thereof.

In adjusting the telescopic bracket for rigid and removable disposition between the sides of a window frame, that end of the male member, carrying the spring, is inserted in the female member until an eye lil, formed on the outer` end-of the spring 7, registers with a selected pair of the aligned apertures 8 which must necessarily establish a distance. between thel bearing surfaces of the "shoes, in excess o-f that between the sides of the windowframe upon which the y device is tobe supported, whereupon a pin :having bristles of. suitable. stiffness, is secured to the female member of thebracket `-through.the,instrumentality of the'clips 9, lor thezllike, whereupon theiassemblage of Vthe device is 1completed by inserting the` aforesaid in a wiper 17.preferably butnot ,necessarily of tubular :formation and manufactured of a: suitable .material such as chamois, cloth or the like.

male and female members of the bracket are provided with handles 18 which are adapted to be, grasped by an individual to cause the same to contract against the tension of the spring for disposing the shoes A`under tension againstfopposite sides cf' the window frame so the wiper will lie `against '.theglass. panel. or panels of the adjacent windowV sash when the handles are released. Although it has been determinedtliat the brush, when presented against the window panels, will readilyclean `the same, very dirty windows require the use of water and, to .facilitate removing the .dirt therefrom,

'"...the wiper isidampened .or wetrprior to being l5y is inserted through vthe selected alignedY ,aperturesland the eye yllt 'of Athe spring, thus presented against the same, whereupon movement of the windowl will cause; the wiper to collect the dirt and, after this application of the wet wiper, a dry one is substituted for the wet one and the operation repeated.

To facilitate cleaning the glass panel or panels of a window sash having the aforesaid element-s disposed in operative relation therewith, it is simply necessary to move the sash until the area to be cleaned has passed beneath the wiperand, during such movement of the sash, the pliability of the .brush 16, or similar element, will cause the wiper to change its area of contact on the glass panel or panels as the direction of movement of the sash is reversed. ln kaddition to the movement imparted to the wiper by reversing the directionof the a more pronounced movement of the wiper is caused during itspassage over horizontal ribs of a sash, but it should be understood that the brush 16, or similar .element, retains the wiper against the ribs, cleaning Athe corners of the glass panel or panels and entire areas of the ribs.

'While thev shoes of the telescopic bracket fully meet all the requirements of a device of this character, occasion may arise where a more secure grip is desired for holding the .bracket in operative position and I, therefore, have shown a modified form of` foot l2 in F ig. 8 wherein spikes 25 are adapted .to embed .themselves in the window iframe 4appreciable utility isprovided and, through the .simplicity of construction and operation, `the same can bemanufactured at thefmini- `mum :expenseandmanipulated with little effort. Havingfthus-described my inventiomwhat I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

from, means adjustably securing the coil spring tothe female section ofthe bracket,

`clips carried by the bracket, a brushsecured to the bracket-by the clips with its bristles directed toward the panels of the Window, and a tubular Wiper surrounding the bracket with a certain area thereof held against the Window panels by the bristles of the brush.

3. A Window cleaning device of the character set forth, comprising a telescopic bracket, an expansible spring Within the bracket, means for adjusting the tension of the spring, feet on the outer ends of the bracket, shoes carried by the feet, handles adjacent the feet, clips carried by the bracket, a resilient element engaged by the clips, and a movable Wiper over the Working area of the resilient element.

l. A window cleaning device of the character set forth comprising a telescopic bracket frictionally secured transversely of a Window, a coil spring secured to the end of the male section of the bracket and having a loop at its free end, a removable pin securing the looped end of the coil spring to the female seotionof the bracket at selected points thereof,y clips on the bracket, a cleaning element secured to the bracket by the clips and having its kWorking area directed toward the Window panels, and a Wiper covering the Working area of the cleaning element.

5. A Window7 cleaning device of the character set forth, comprising a fabric Wiper contacting With the panels of a Window, va resilient element pressing the Wiper against the Window panels, a telescopic bracket eX- tending transversely of a Window and supporting the resilient element, and means yieldingly and adjustably connecting the sections of the telescopio bracket for uniform tension in all adjusted positions.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ELMER E. SHIPLEY. 

